Unsung Heroes

I was re-reading some entries in my diary when I came across one that I posted in my blog. It’s about the quote from Neale: “Your life is not about you.” We discussed about how drinking coffee and using shampoo benefit others because of the jobs they provide when these products are produced and manufactured. And then we went on to discuss about two earths—one where most of the people meditate, while the people of the other don’t. We also talked about how everything we do affects everything in this world because we are all One Soul. Now, I’m thinking of the other quote that says: “The greatest achievements are those that benefit others.” That sort of contradicts the other quote, doesn’t it?

How so?

The other quote is “Your life is not about you,” which, to me, means everything I do does not benefit me, but benefit others. While the other quote says, “The greatest achievements are those that benefit others,” which, to me, means not all things I do benefit others—only some. But by the way we discussed it previously, it seems everything I do benefits others, not only me. And yet the ‘greatest achievement’ quote says only those that benefit others are the most important. I believe the contradiction is that everything I do benefits others and yetnoteverything I do benefits others. So which is it?

You are confusing the word ‘benefit’ with the word ‘affect”. The meaning of ‘benefit’ is “something that is advantageous or good; an advantage.” While the meaning of ‘affect’ is “to act on; produce an effect or change in”. It also means “to impress the mind or move the feelings of”. ‘Benefit’ is usually something that is positive. While ‘affecting’ something could be perceived as positive as well as negative. To others, not everything you do will be perceived as positive. There will be those who will perceive some things you do as negative. So it is true when not everything you do is only about you because it will affect others in different ways. And it is also true to say that “the greatest achievements are those that benefit others” especially when those achievements are perceived as positive.

Okay. Wait. Are there achievements that are negative? If it’s negative, I don’t think it should even be called an achievement.

It is a matter of perception, my dear. There are those with unknown achievements. You have a term called “unsung hero”.

Yes. I Googled it and it means “one who does great deeds but receives little or no recognition for them”.

Your world is full of unsung heroes, my dear. They have achievements that have benefited others in more ways than one and yet they do not seek recognition or accolades for their deeds of greatness. Being alive in itself and overcoming life’s problems are great achievements which go unnoticed. Everyone in your world is a hero. With that in mind, do you still think that both quotes are contradicting in some way?

I’m not sure. Maybe I should combine them. Let’s see. Your life is not about you because the greatest achievements are those that benefit others. Hey! I think that works!

Doesn’t everything? Have you not grown enough spiritually to believe that everything always works out for your good?

I believe I have. But there’s still a lot of room for growth. And I mean a lot! I’m still doubting what I’m doing here exactly.